Yesterday I wrote about the speakers who addressed the Keystone protesters at the White House. Today I’d like to talk about the protesters – specifically, the young people and the growing “Occupy Wall Street” movement. Read more »1 comment(s)

A multi-state delegation of PSR representatives joined 12,000 other like-minded people on Sunday to link arms around the White House and send President Obama an urgent message: Don’t build the Keystone XL pipeline. Read more »10 comment(s)

The signing of the proposed Mercury & Air Toxic Standard is a long overdue victory for American public health. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson articulated that this is the initiation of an effort that will, “Save lives, prevent illnesses, and provide economic opportunities.” Read more »

A recent report estimates that coal’s impacts – including its effects on health and the damage in inflicts on the environment -- cost the U.S. about $345 billion annually. According to the report, a full rendering of coal’s costs would double to triple the price of coal-generated electricity. Read more »

At the White House yesterday for the President’s Earth Day celebration, I had the opportunity to speak with Congressman Ed Markey. He first lauded PSR and our work in preventing nuclear war, and then went on to say that our current work on climate change is very similar in the sense that for both issues, there is no cure, there is only prevention. He shared a great quote, “The planet is running a fever and there are no emergency rooms for planets. Thus we have to engage politically in preventing climate change.” Read more »

Today, PSR has been invited to the White House to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Earth Day. We are pleased and honored that PSR’s health message has been recognized by President Obama as an important voice in the environmental movement. PSR’s President, Jeff Patterson, is on his way to the White House as I write, carrying the message that, as doctors, healthcare professionals, and concerned citizens, we must prevent what we cannot cure. Read more »1 comment(s)

Last Friday I again testified before the EPA on the health impacts of air quality. This time the subject was particulate matter. Once again, I was encouraging the EPA to follow through on a positive step it has proposed. Read more »

Coal ash, loaded with arsenic, lead, selenium, mercury, and other toxics, is one of the biggest toxics streams in the U.S. – yet is not regulated by the federal government. It is a grave threat to health. Read more »

Mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining uses high-powered explosives to blow the tops off of mountains. The debris is then bulldozered into adjacent valleys and streams. The health hazards and environmental destruction this creates is so great, scientists have called for a moratorium on MTR permits. Read more »1 comment(s)